The McPherson County Commission revised its zoning and subdivision regulations Monday to allow some land parcels that are illegal under current regulations to become legal.

The county's zoning and subdivision regulations were revised in 2007. Some subdivision that were done before that time were done illegally and are still nonconforming.

An illegal subdivision means that building permits cannot be issued to that property, and it can make it more difficult to get financing if someone wishes to buy the land.

Kenneth Cook, county planning administrator, said the new regulations create an administrative process to make those illegal plats legal.

Cook said the planning commission had hoped by requiring land owners to go through the platting process there would be additional dedication of right of way or easements. However, Cook said most of the plats are being approved without changes.

"We're not getting that much out of the process," he said.

Many of the parcels in question have been around for a long time, he said.

The new requirements set out a number of standards the parcels must meet. The parcels must be at least 2.75 acres, be able to meet sanitation standards and not be in a flood plain.

Cook said he hopes this process primarily will be administrative.

"These changes will make it easier to clean up our legal issues," Cook said.

The zoning and subdivision regulation amendments were passed unanimously and will go into effect as soon as they are published in the newspaper, which should be sometime this week.

Landfill

The county commission Monday signed bond documents for the new landfill.

The county received an AA rating for the bonds, which saved the county about $180,000 in interest.

Although the debt for the landfill will be issued by the county, McPherson Area Solid Waste Utility, a stand alone utility, will operate the facility. The county and area cities have agreements with MASWU for waste disposal.

The new landfill will set next to the closed landfill on Arapaho Road, which is between McPherson and Lindsborg.

Dirt work has begun at the new $5.45 million landfill, the clay liners for the first cell will be completed next.

The county also approved the final plat for the landfill at Monday's meeting.

In other business, the county commission:

• Signed an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation to add a crossing gate on 14th Avenue at Hiawatha Lane.

• Approved a purchase of a truck for $22,970 from Wallace Chevrolet. A previous purchase had been approved, but the truck had been sold.

• Approved a request to begin condemnation proceeding with properties on the 16th Avenue reconstruction project. This work is part of the county's portion of the Mohawk/Interstate 135 interchange project.

Page 2 of 2 - • Came to a consensus to allow county public works to bid on concrete flatwork forms.

• Approved a public works request to install a water pipeline for a brine system at a cost of about $7,000.

• Approved a McPherson County Council on Aging annual agreement.

• Signed a letter of support for a Council on Aging grant application.

• Signed a letter of support for Disability Supports of the Great Plains for a vehicle tax exemption.